LensRentals: Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA Lens is Absolutely Superb!

Roger Cicala at LensRentals tested the newly announced Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA Lens. They compared it with some common 50mm lenses, including the Zeiss Otus 55m f/1.4, Sony FE 55mm f/1.8, Sigma 50mm f/1.4 and Nikon 50mm f/1.4 G. The results are absolutely impressive: Center and extreme edges of Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA are outstanding beating pretty much all 50mm lenses on the market including the Otus 55/1.4!!

FE 50mm F1.4 ZA vs Zeiss Otus 55/1.4, image via LensRentals

The Sony is phenomenally good in the center; just absolutely superb. From a resolution standpoint it is clearly better than the Otus in the center, and just as good as the Otus away from the center as well. There is a little sag of the Sony’s MTF halfway to the center but then improvement out to the edges.

FE 50mm F1.4 ZA vs FE 55/1.8 ZA, image via LensRentals

From LensRentals Conclusion:

The Sony Planar 50mm f/1.4 is expensive and not everyone needs to plop that much money down for a 50mm lens. But, if you do need one, it’s worth the money; it’s really superb. The center sharpness in particular is unheard of in a 50mm lens. This seems to be a pattern we’re seeing with some of the new Sony lenses, too: The fine resolution (at higher frequencies) is higher than we’re used to seeing.

The Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA, 70-200mm f/2.8 GM and the Teleconverters will be released on July 29. Below are store links in US:

Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA Lens: $1,498 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama.

Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens: $2,598 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama.

Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter: $548 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama.

Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter: $548 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama.